Obamacare shows why Chuck Schumer probably should avoid the fortune- telling business

Good etiquette means never saying "I told you so" to the thick- headed twit who ignored your sage advice, right? Well, sometimes the temptation is just too much.

Such apparently was the situation this morning for "Stew," a highly-placed grizzled veteran of a Senate Republican aide with a somewhat warped sense of humor.

It seems that, as Obamacare's March 31 sign-up deadline nears, Stew is continually reminded of a prophesy uttered four years ago by New York Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Soon they'll love it!

Asked by host David Gregory about Obamacare's unpopularity, Schumer responded: "Well, I think as people learn about the bill, and now that the bill is enacted, it's going to become more and more popular.

"And here's why, two things happen, David. First, the lies that have been spread, they vanish because you see what's in the bill. ... And the number one lie that bothers people is 'You'll lose your insurance if you have it now and you're pretty happy with it.' ...

"So I predict, David, by November those who voted for health care will find it an asset, those who voted against it will find it a liability."

Well, not quite

So, now it's four years later, and AP reports things haven't quite worked out as Schumer predicted:

- Public support for President Barack Obama's health care law is languishing at its lowest level since passage of the landmark legislation four years ago, according to a new poll.

- In April of 2010, soon after the law passed, 50 percent of Americans said they were opposed to it, while 39 percent were in favor. Ten percent were on the fence. Now, just 26 percent say they are in favor, a drop of 13 percentage points.

In other words, Schumer got it exactly wrong, so if you ever chance upon a dimly lit house to which is affixed a sign reading "Schumer Tells Your Fortune," it would probably be a good idea to just keep walking.

Ever the gentleman, Stew helpfully provided a selection of vicious puppy attacks to help Schumer fans cope with their grief.

On today's washingtonexaminer.com

Editorial: Senate Democrats set to confirm zealous foe of fossil fuels.

Columnist/Philip Klein: It's time to scrap the mortgage deduction.

Columnist/Byron York: Evangelical leader shows how GOP can finesse gay marriage.

Columnist/Timothy P. Carney: Is Nancy Pelosi wearing the mantle of a leading American eugenicist?

Beltway Confidential/Joel Gehrke: Tea Party icon Paul turns to Establishment GOP for 2016 help.

Beltway Confidential/Ashe Schow: Anti-fracking-Keystone groups making desperate cancer claims.

PennAve/Betsy Woodruff: Former Washington RedskinClint Didier courts Capitol Hill.

Legal Newsline/Kyla Asbury: Class-action suit against Heinz claims "all-natural" vinegar contains GMOs.

In other news

CBS News: Where's the least-valuable college degrees?

USA Today: Colbert in PC trouble for Redskins tweet.

New York Post: Reid campaign cash to grand-daughter hits $31,000.

New York Daily News: Christie advisers ended personal relationship just before Bridgegate events.

The Washington Post: White House now claims more than 6 million have signed up for Obamacare.

The New York Times: Obama seeks to calm Saudis on Iran nuke.

Righty Playbook

Daily Caller: House conservatives slam rushed "Doc fix" vote.

Washington Free Beacon: The autumn of Democrat patriarch Harry Reid.

The American Thinker: Cantor's conservative camouflage cant.

Bonus must-read

The Federalist: Celebrating another phony Obamacare milestone.

Lefty Playbook

The New Republic: Bill Nye, the climate guy.

Salon.com: The Tea Party's absurd "socialism" obsession.

UTNE Reader: From trash to treasure.

Bonus must-read

Mother Jones: Donald Rumsfeld, up close and creepy.

Blog Right

Gateway Pundit: Black activist organizes anti-Kobe Bryant boycott over Trayvon comments.

Jammie Wearing Fools: Former top California educator busted in murder-for-hire plot, blames racism.

Hot Air: Rand Paul already building a 50-state 2016 operation.

Blog Left

Talking Points Memo: The Obamacare mandate the GOP could actually kill next year.

America Blog: LGBT rip.

Pandagon: Hollywood's obsession with Hillary-like villains.